The Grand Narrative

While this blog has been gestating in the back of mind for (all too many) years, the trigger actually came from discussing a text about drinking in my Korean class last week. Not only did it come only a week or so after the groundbreaking legal case mentioned in the blogosphere (see the Lost Nomad here, and the newspaper The Indpendent here for instance), but our very brief class discussion of our text was mostly a lot of nods and bland restatements of the fact that, yes, Koreans drink a lot.

Such ‘discussions’ are par for the course in Korean classes above beginner level, where it can be strange to see a non-Asian, as most Chinese and Japanese students and of course Korean teachers are loath to delve into things even remotely racy or controversial.Sure, it is hard to find something which suits mixed classes, and I’m the odd one out, and there is the argument that using the language is more important than what is being said, although once I actually did some research into ESL I learned that that was complete crap (see my bible). But even though a British preist would have been trying to bash his (or her?) head in with my electronic dictionary if the discussion went on any further, I’m quite suprised I managed to restrain myself and not ruin the class by lecturing everyone on the point I’ll be making below.

So, things dovetailed nicely: I could work on studying Korean by translating the text from the book, which meant I spent much more time on it than usual, and its a nice introduction to my take on the subject. The book by the way, is called Sogang Korean 4B, or 서강한국어4B (and the text is from p.10). It’s very good, the right combination of speaking, reading, listening, grammar and colour (not to be underestimated) that you find for textbooks for most of the world’s languages but not Korean until very recently…and don’t get me started on the complete crap that was all that was available when I came in 2000.

(Photo source: New York Times. I would provide a link, but to see it you have to register (free), and then can read it once but apparently have to pay to again. If you want to register and read it once like I did, go here)

술 권하는 사회

박찬희: 중앙대 경영학과 교수 (이하 ‘박‘):오늘은 최인철 교수님을 모시고 술에 대한 한국인의 심리를 알아보겠습니다. 교수님, 한국 사람들이 술을 많이 마시지요? 

Park Chan-He: Professor of Management Studies, Jungang University (Park): Today, we have invited Professor Chwae In-Cheol to talk with us about Koreans’ thoughts on drinking. Professor, Koreans drink a lot, yes? 

최인철: 서울대 심리학과 교수 (이하 ‘최‘): 네, 한국이 세계에서 술을 가장 많이 마시는 나라 중에 하나라는 조사 결과도 있지요. 

Chwae In-Cheol: Professor of Psychology, Seoul National University (Chwae): Yes, the result of a survey showed that Koreans are the heaviest drinkers in the world! 

박: 그런데 한국 사람들은 왜 그렇게 술을 많이 마시는 겁니까?

Park: Well then, why do Koreans drink so much? 

최: 우리 나라 사람들의 심리적인 특징과 관련이 있을것 같습니다. 우리 사회는 어떤 사회보다도 인간 관계를 중요하게 생각하는 문화를 갖고 있습니다. 그래서 직장에서도 일보다 관계를 먼저 생각할 때가 많지요. 또 단결을 중요하게 생각하기 때문에 회식을 많이 하게 됩니다. 이렇게 사람들하고 자주 만나다 보니 자연히 술을 마실 기회도 많이지는 것이지요. 

Chwae: It is to do with our psychological traits. Compared to other societies, we have a culture that places more value on human relationships. So, at workplaces we think that our relationships with our colleagues are more important than work. Because we think our unity and solidarity is very important, we have often go out to have meals together. If people meet often like this, naturally there are also many opportunities to drink, yes? 

박: 그러니까 우리 나라 사람들이 술을 좋아해서 많이 마시는 것은 아니군요. 

Park: But, isn’t it because many Koreans simply like drinking? 

최: 네. 물론, 좋아해서 많이 마시는 사람도 있습니다. 그렇지만 술을 좋아하지 않은 사람도 ‘술을 권하는’ 한국 문화 때문에 많이 마시게 됩니다. 그래서 사람들에게 술을 왜 마시냐고 물으면, 마시고 싶어서 미시는 게 아니라고 하는 경우가 많습니다. 또, 술이 좋아서 맛는 게 아니라 사람이 좋아서 마신다고도 합니다. 

Chwae: Yes, of course there are many people who like drinking. However, there are many people who don’t, but because of Korea’s ‘alcohol recommending’ culture they drink a lot. So, if you ask people why they drink, there are many cases of people who don’t say it’s because they want to. Also, there are many people who say it’s not because they like alcohol, but because they like people. 

박: (웃음) 네, 저도 그렇습니다. 사람들하고 만나자고 약속할 때 ‘언제 술이나 한잔 하자’ 라고 합니다. 그런데 교수님, 우리 나라 사람들은 인간 관계를 위해서 왜 꼭 술을 마시는지 궁금합니다. 

Park: (laughing) Yes, I too am like that. When people make arrangements to meet, they often say “Let’s have a drink or two”. By the way Professor, I’m curious as to why Koreans think they have to drink for the sake of their relationships. 

최: 우리 사회는 나이와 성별, 지위 때문에 지켜야 할 규칙이 많습니다. 그래서 어떤 사람하고 가까워지고 싶어도 그런 규칙들 때문에 편안하게 말하기가 어렵고, 또 불만을 말하고 싶어도 평소에는 잘 할 수가 없지요. 그런데 술을 마시면 그런 어려움이 많이 줄어들어서 보통 때보다 편안하게 이야기할 수 있게 됩니다. 

Chwae: In Korea, there are many social rules we have to follow regarding age, gender and position. Having to follow these when we speak makes it difficult to relax and get to know someone. Day by day, it also makes it difficult to bring up anything troubling you, right? So, compared to ordinary work days, if you drink alcohol you can greatly reduce your troubles and more easily talk about things. 

박: 그런데 술을 좋아하는 사람들끼리 이야기하니까 술의 좋은 점만 말한 것 같군요. (웃음) 사실 나쁜 점도 참 많잖아요. 개인의 건강에도 안 좋고요. 

Park: By the way, if you talk to people who like alcohol they only mention its good points. (laughing) Actually, there are many bad points today. It is bad for your health.  

최: 네, 그렇지요. 실제로 우리 사회는 개인의 가치와 행복을 중요하게 생각하는 사회로 바뀌고 있습니다. 사람들과 같이 술을 마시기보다는 개인적으로 취미 생활을 하는 사람이 늘고 있어요. 또 주5일제 그무를 하다 보니 일 때문에 술을 마시는 날이 줄어들었습니다. 

Chwae: Yes, that is true. In practice, we are becoming a society that places more value on personal happiness. People are spending more time and more time on hobbies instead of drinking with others. Changing to a 5 day work week has also reduced the number of days spent drinking. 

박: ‘우리’를 먼저 생각하는 문화에서 ‘개인’을 생각하는 문화로 바뀌고 있다는 말씀이시군요. 네, 오늘은 최인철 교수님과 함께 ‘술 권하는 사회’에 대하여 알아봤습니다. 고맙습니다. 

Park: So, as you say, we are changing from a ‘us’ first culture to a ‘me’ one. Thank you for speaking to us today about our “alcohol recommending” society. 

최: 감사합니다.

Chwae: Thank you.

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